A would-be thief was shot after he broke into a West Columbia home last week.

Michael Matthew Nowinski, 26, of Lexington, is charged with armed robbery, 3 counts of assault and battery, burglary, criminal conspiracy, 4 counts of kidnapping and possessing a weapon during a violent crime, according to arrest warrants.

“Based on interviews detectives have conducted during our investigation, Nowinski entered a Greenwood Drive home wearing a mask and armed with a shotgun,” Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon said. 

“He was there to steal a safe and struck 3 people with the butt of his shotgun before he was shot in the chest.”

Deputies located Nowinski a short distance from the house after the incident, according to Koon.

“He was treated for a gunshot wound immediately by deputies and then transported for further medical attention,” Koon said. “Deputies arrested him right after he was discharged from the hospital Sunday.”

Koon said Joel Adolphus Hendrix III drove Nowinski to the home on Greenwood Drive and conspired with Nowinski to commit the burglary and armed robbery. Deputies arrested Hendrix, a resident of Cassatt, Thursday morning.

Hendrix, 26, is charged with armed robbery, 3 counts of assault and battery, burglary, criminal conspiracy, 4 counts of kidnapping, according to arrest warrants.

Nowinski and Hendrix are being held in the Lexington County Detention Center.